Pedal-Powered Businesses Popping Up In Portland

A new era of "post peak oil" bicycle-powered commerce is creeping into Portland's downtown, and what a welcome sight it is. At the Portland Farmer's Market, this year SolPops hit the scene on a sky blue cargo bike with a leafy shade canopy (unfortunately not pictured in this photo) to keep the patrons cool while they choose their frozen treat. SolPops (the SOL stands for sustainable, organic, local) are closer to a Mexican paleta than a regular popsicle, with their thick cold fruity goodness - strawberry, orange, coconut - usually tinged with a surprising extra flavor like basil, or chile.

But while SolPops are currently a seasonal business, more and more year-round Portland establishments have taken to bicycle-based sales and/or delivery. Hot Lips Pizza, whose owner is a long-time Portland sustainability leader, is making deliveries on bike, as is Old Town Pizza. Lulu's Confections's cookies and treats are bicycle delivered -Lulu doesn't yet have a storefront - and Staccato Gelato is pedaling low-carbon gelato from a trike. And two cafés, Black Sheep Bakery and Little Red Bike Café offer bike-through lanes. Via ::Portland Mercury